Living & Dying with Strokes, Alzheimer's, Diabetes, & Congestive Heart Failure

This book is about caregiving performed by the author on the principal character, Amelia, the author's wife. She has been suffering from ill health due to strokes, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and congestive heart failure. The author-turned caregiver strives to prolong her life by combining caregiving and leisure. By all account, the effort has been successful for a considerable period, almost fifteen years.

The couple forced to retire from their jobs due to the first two massive strokes - she already had four - suffered by Amelia, embarked on a vacation and recreation spree to make the most out of her diminished capacity. They traveled to and visited more places than they ever dreamed of doing while they were still active. Ironically, they would not have undertaken the enjoyable activities of extended vacations were it not for her ailments. All seems to be positive and forward-looking, the downside being the aspect of caregiving.

The author, vowing to take care of his wife while he is still capable, has assumed the role of caregiver despite their advancing age. At first, he felt he would never be able to handle the chore, his entire life and training being in an office, until the occurrence of the first two strokes. Gradually, he learned by himself and became skillful in the art of caregiving.

However, as the chore of caregiving was becoming second-nature to the author, diabetes, Alzheimer's and congestive heart failure have always been overwhelming the effort. The urge of placing Amelia in a nursing home facility has been considered several times, but each time compassion, pity, and skepticism prevail, dissuading the idea.

So the role of supporting Amelia continues on the part of the author turned-caregiver. She needs to be assisted in most of her physical activities, like exercising, bathing, walking, and even eating. She needs to be told to swallow her food and drinks. Incontinence is a major problem particularly away from home. Still unfazed by mounting adversity, the author desperately retains control of the situation without committing Amelia to a nursing home facility, providing support and care at their own home.

But time is ticking, each tick bringing Amelia closer to the inevitable - death. When she was diagnosed with severe stenosis of the heart just a month shy of her 78th birthday in February 2016, she was only given a year of surviving the lone disease. The other deadly body disorders, strokes, diabetes, and Alzheimer's, have completely engulfed her too. By Thanksgiving week of 2016, the publication date of this book, Amelia is on the 9th month of the doctor's pronouncement, three months short of the projected one-year survival period.

Although her health is noticeably in rapid decline, the family still hopes to enjoy Christmas of 2016 and beyond. Considering that she has been surviving the four deadly diseases for almost fifteen years, the author's efforts of caregiving is deemed a success. Amelia has been outliving more than half a dozen acquaintances who were healthier, more robust, and free of ailments at the time she had the first two strokes.